Toyota To Recall Another 270,000 Vehicles

Toyota Motor Corp. will recall 270,000 Lexus and other vehicles worldwide to fix faulty engines in the latest quality lapse at the world’s No. 1 automaker. Flaws in valve springs, a crucial engine component, could make the vehicle stall while it’s moving. Contaminated materials had been used for valve springs during manufacturing, according to Toyota. The carmaker has admitted it knew about the engine problem in the Lexus and Crown vehicles two years ago but didn’t think a recall was warranted at the time. The company says it changed the spring part to correct the problem. A global recall is now under way to repair some 270,000 vehicles to replace engine components that could cause stalling.

The world’s top automaker claims it previously thought the problem was caused by a foreign substance entering during manufacturing of the valve springs, and beefed up checks so that wouldn’t happen. When the complaints started climbing, Toyota decided there was a design defect.